As you are reading this issue of the FCI Newsletter, the summer dog-show season is at its peak. The biggest event - a feast for all eager exhibitors – of this year was the FCI World Dog Show 2012 in Salzburg, Austria.
I would like to congratulate the Austrian kennel Club (ÖKV) and everybody who contributed to this outstanding canine event.

This issue contains a report and evaluation of this show. I would like to point out that unfortunately, abandoned dogs in closed vehicles at shows are a remaining issue. The speakers continually encouraged people to come to their vehicles and take their dogs out, even announcing particular license plate numbers of these vehicles, asking the owners to release their dogs immediately from the heat. Despite the joint effort of the police and paramedics, there was one dog who, sadly, didn‘t make it.Unfortunately, this has been a recurring scenario, even at the most prestigous shows. I am asking everybody to keep an eye on this problem and to look for ways to deal with it. Dogs hardly deserve to be treated like that.

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Stefan Stefik
FCI Treasurer

As you are reading this issue of the FCI Newsletter, the summer dog-show season is at its peak. The biggest event - a feast for all eager exhibitors – of this year was the FCI World Dog Show 2012 in Salzburg, Austria.
I would like to congratulate the Austrian kennel Club (ÖKV) and everybody who contributed to this outstanding canine event.

This issue contains a report and evaluation of this show. I would like to point out that unfortunately, abandoned dogs in closed vehicles at shows are a remaining issue. The speakers continually encouraged people to come to their vehicles and take their dogs out, even announcing particular license plate numbers of these vehicles, asking the owners to release their dogs immediately from the heat. Despite the joint effort of the police and paramedics, there was one dog who, sadly, didn‘t make it. Unfortunately, this has been a recurring scenario, even at the most prestigous shows. I am asking everybody to keep an eye on this problem and to look for ways to deal with it. Dogs hardly deserve to be treated like that. It is highly unethical and completely intolerable, and as a „dog-lover“, it saddens me deeply. Such irresponsible behaviour is water on the mills for all our critics and various animal welfare protection organisations, and is almost instantly the topic for bad press.

Recently, one of our members, the Hungarian Kennel Club (MEOE) got into a very difficult situation due to the unusual requirements of the Ministry of Agriculture of Hungary. The situaltion escalated and MEOE was in danger of cessation of activity, possibly even existence.
Such a situation would endanger not only Hungarian cynologists, but due to the upcoming events of highest importance - FCI IPO World Championship 2012, FCI Obedience World Championship 2013, FCI General Assembly meeting and FCI World Dog Show 2013, INTERRA Show 2013, ATIBOX Show 2013 etc. - would impact on the entire cynological community.
A wave of disagreement with the procedure of Hungarian politics arose in many countries, FCI members or not. I am sure that the efforts of the MEOE and the large international support of the world-wide canine community were key to reaching an agreement, even if temporary, with the Hungarian government. We look forward to a conclusive decision of the government in favour of MEOE soon.

You will also find in this issue information about the FCI promotional stand. Based on the decision of the FCI General Committee, it will be put in selected international shows, section shows and world dog shows on all continents. Its aim is to promote the mission and activities of the FCI. We are also preparing a new series of supporting marketing material. I believe that the planned expansion of computerisation and the introduction of large-scale internet connection among member states will improve and accelerate communication with and within the FCI. Living in an age of intense globalisation fundamentally impacts on our lives and common values. These global social changes are so dynamic that I consider it essential to recognise the importance of basic moral values. For the canine world, that means to focus on basic ethical and moral principles in every aspect of canine care and breeding. In this regard, we have a very demanding job. Of course, we have to start from ourselves instead of expecting others to change first.

I wish you all the best of luck and strongly believe that these principles will help us to improve our relationships with each other and help cynology to remain a hobby for all enthusiasts.

Stefan Stefik
FCI Treasurer